Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Tottenham - For the WBO, IBO, WBA, IBF heavyweight titles, former undisputed cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) put on the performance of a lifetime to win a twelve round unanimous decision over Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs). (photos by Mark Robinson)
The scores were 117-112, 116-112 and 115-113.
They went to the center of the ring. There were a lot of feints and quick movements from Usyk. It was chess match, with both looking for openings in the first. Usyk landed a solid left hand on the button and Joshua took it well. As the boxing match continued, Usyk landed another solid left in the closing moments.
Both were jabbing and feinting in the second. Usyk was having the edge as they were boxing each other. In the third, Usyk was going to the body at the start. Joshua was working his jab and stepping forward. A two punch combo landed on Joshua. Usyk was making Joshua miss and landing quick punches. He rocked Joshua's legs and forced him to hold on.
Usyk made Joshua go off-balance with a solid shot at the start of the fourth. Joshua was starting to do a bit better, but still getting outboxed. The fight began with Usyk landing quick punches. Joshua was pumping his jab and looking for moments to impose himself. Joshua dug a few punches to the body. Usyk landed a solid left and Joshua connected on a good right.
During the sixth, they came out jabbing in the center of the ring. Joshua was doing very good boxing and having the edge. He caught Usyk with good right as he came in. He continued to stalk Usyk until the round ended. In the seventh round, they both came out throwing and landing quick punches. Usyk was targeting to the body and starting to make adjustments to land counters. A big left hand from Usyk made Joshua stumble backwards. Usyk then unloaded with a combo.
The eight round saw the two boxing in a technical manner at the start. Joshua landed a good right and was working his solid jab. Joshua was going more for the body than the head. In the ninth, it was a very close boxing match between the two. Usyk landed a big left, but Joshua came back with a combination.
Usyk came out pressing the tenth. Usyk was jabbing and landed a good left. A cut opened up around the right eye of Usyk. Joshua's nose was bleeding and his right eye was starting to swell up rapidly. During the eleventh, Usyk was connecting well in the early going. Joshua came back with a good right. Several shots connected on Joshua as Usyk was unloading his punches.
In the twelfth, Usyk came out landing on Joshua's head with accurate punches. Joshua landed two rights and Usyk came back with two lefts. Usyk landed several more shots to force Joshua back. Joshua's legs buckled as Usyk continued to connect with solid shots. Joshua was in serious trouble as Usyk unloaded in the closing moments.
